Cat Healthcare

Owners have a duty of care towards their pets. This means you are responsible for ensuring your cat is happy and healthy by protecting them from pain, suffering, injury and disease.

Cats can hide signs of illness and pain well. It is important to pay attention to your cat’s behaviour and check them over regularly. Whilst there are things you can do at home to keep your cat healthy, you must consult your vet immediately if you notice any abnormalities.

You might also be interesting in our pages about general cat advice, getting a cat, cat vet care and litter training.

Diet

Providing a balanced and nutritious diet is crucial to your cat’s overall health and well-being.

Cats are obligate carnivores. This means they cannot digest vegetation properly and get their nutrients from a diet consisting of mostly meat. Cats must not be given a vegan or vegetarian diet. Cats will not survive without a well-balanced, meat-based diet and a regular source of protein.

For dietary advice specific to your cat’s needs, or if you notice any changes to your cat’s eating habits, please consult your vet.

What can I give my cat to eat?

All cats have different preferences when it comes to types, brands and flavours. This may change over time so you may need to try different types until you find what works best for your cat.

Whether your cat prefers wet food, dry food or a bit of both, check that it’s labelled ‘complete’. This means it meets all of their nutritional needs.

Felines need different types of food at different stages of their life so check the packaging to make sure you’re giving them the correct type. Like humans, some cats also have special dietary requirements. A vet will be able to advise you on this.

Never feed your cat dog food as it doesn’t contain the right balance of nutrients for felines.

What can I give my cat to drink?

Always ensure your cat has access to plenty of fresh water. It’s common for cats to avoid water that is too close to their food or litter so, if they’re not drinking much, try moving their water bowl to another area. Your cat may also like drinking from a dripping tap or even a puddle! This is completely normal behaviour.

During spells of hot weather, make sure you are providing fresh, cool water more regularly. If you have an outdoor cat, you may need to leave a bowl of water outside for them if you don’t have a cat flap fitted or you are going to be away from home.

Avoid giving your cat milk or cream intended for people as it can cause tummy upsets. Many places sell milk which is specially formulated for cats. Whilst this is safe, water is healthier. Cat milk should only be given as a treat.

How much should I feed my cat and how often?

The amount of food you give your cat and how frequently you feed them will vary depending on their size and age.

Cat food packaging will tell you the recommended amount of food for your cat’s age and weight.

Kittens need to be fed specially-formulated kitten food, once they have been weaned off their mother’s milk (around eight to nine weeks old). Kitten food contains nutrients which helps them grow and gives them the energy they need to develop properly. Kittens need to be fed little and often.

Adult cats (aged one to eight years old) should be fed at least twice a day but some prefer smaller meals more regularly. Some cats like to polish off a meal in one sitting whereas others prefer to return to their bowls throughout the day, only having a small amount each time.

Senior cats (over eight years old) require food which is specially-formulated for older cats to help support their organs and muscles as they age.

Pregnant or weaning cats will require additional nutrients to keep the mother and her kittens healthy. If your cat is pregnant or feeding kittens, she should be given unlimited access to kitten food. Weaning cats can eat double or triple the amount of food they’d usually eat whilst nursing their kittens.

If you notice your cat is gaining or losing weight, adjust the amount you’re giving them and monitor their weight. If you have more than one cat, you may need to feed them separately to ensure they are not over or under-eating. If you notice your cat has lost weight but their eating habits haven’t changed, or if they have trouble putting on weight when food intake is increased, speak to your vet.

The biggest cause of obesity in cats is excessive treats and human titbits. Follow serving sizes on the packaging and avoid giving your cat anything meant for humans can help to maintain a healthy body weight. If you are concerned, seek advice from your vet.

Exercise and play

Playing with your cat is a good way to keep their body and mind active. It is particularly important in a kitten’s development as it teaches them essential life skills. Play also helps cats redirect unwanted behaviours such as scratching furniture or nibbling fingers.

Most cats are naturally inquisitive and enjoy exploring, therefore giving your cat outdoor access can provide much of the physical and mental stimulation they need. However, both indoor and outdoor cats need a variety of different types of enrichment to ensure they are mentally and physically stimulated.

Toys that mimic their prey and encourage natural hunting behaviours are particularly enriching for cats. Likewise, cat towers allow them to display natural behaviours like jumping and climbing. There’s no need for expensive toys as many cats seem to favour household items like balls of tinfoil or empty cardboard boxes!

Any toys must be suitable for your cat’s age and mobility. They must be well-constructed to avoid choking, swallowing or strangulation and kittens must always be supervised when playing to prevent injury.

Cats also need plenty of opportunities to scratch. Each cat will have a personal preference on what they like to scratch. Vertical scratchers must be tall enough to allow your cat to reach up and stretch but horizontal scratchers such as mats are also available. Provide multiple cat scratching surfaces all around your home. Corrugated cardboard and pieces of rough textured carpet or fabric is a cheaper alternative.

Grooming

Felines generally keep themselves very clean but regular grooming has benefits for you and your cat. Not only does grooming help keep your cat’s coat in good condition by removing loose hair, dirt and dead skin cells, but it also reduces hairballs, a build-up of ingested fur. Spending quality time grooming your cat strengthens the bond between you and your feline friend and can help you both relax. Getting your cat used to being handled in this way from a young age can make it easier for you to check them for any signs of illness or injury, and makes it less stressful when they need to be examined by a vet.

Grooming tools

There are a variety of grooming tools available but a simple comb or brush usually does the trick. If you’re unsure which type would suit your cat best, speak to your vet. Some cats, particularly long-haired or elderly cats, may need some extra help with their grooming. When getting your cat used to being groomed, allow them to sniff and rub against the brush or comb. They may try to bite or play with their grooming tools. Using slow motions, gently brush your cat’s fur, sticking to areas like the head and back to begin with. Over time, you can gradually build up the time you spend grooming.

When grooming causes stress

If your cat isn’t fond of being groomed, reward them with treats so they learn to associate grooming with something positive. If they are showing signs of distress or aggression, stop immediately and try again when they feel more calm and comfortable. Over-grooming can be a sign of stress, pain or illness in cats. If you notice your cat is grooming more regularly than usual or they have areas of fur loss, seek veterinary advice. Similarly, if your cat is under-grooming, speak to your vet.

Do not bathe your kitten or cat

Cats do not need to be bathed unless their fur has become contaminated. If this happens, gently bathe them with warm water only. If your cat has come into contact with a substance that cannot be removed with warm water, such as oil, speak to your vet immediately.

Claw clipping

Cats tend to keep their nails short by scratching but may need to have their claws trimmed from time to time, particularly as they get older. Indoor cats may require more regular clipping. This can be done carefully at home using clippers especially designed for cat, or a professional groomer or vet can do it for you.

Litter training

Whilst a litter tray is a permanent fixture in the life of house cats, outdoor cats can be gradually trained to start going to the toilet outside. Whether you are introducing a new kitten to the litter tray or helping an adult cat adapt to a new environment, litter training is an essential life skill for cats. Litter training may take time and finding what works for your cat can involve some trial and error. Be patient and persistent in reinforcing positive toilet habits.

Even if your cat goes to the toilet outside, it’s a good idea to keep a litter tray in case something stops them going outdoors. This comes in handy if they feel threatened by other cats in the area or if they need to spend time indoors recovering from injury or illness. Some cats just prefer not to venture out in cold or rainy weather!

Find out more about litter training.